Feb. 20 is National Love Your Pet Day!68 percent of U.S. families owned pets, as of 2017. That’s about 85 million families. Around 60 million families own dogs, while about 47 million own cats. Twelve percent own freshwater fish.Children can benefit from owning a pet. Kids often feel closer to their pets than their own siblings, according to a 2017 study.Those children also experience lower instances of conflict and stress. According to recent research, dogs are smarter than cats. Canines’ brains have more cortical neurons than the brains of cats. These nerve cells are associated with thinking, planning and complex behavior.

Around 60 million families own dogs, while about 47 million own cats. Twelve percent own freshwater fish.

Children can benefit from owning a pet. Kids often feel closer to their pets than their own siblings, according to a 2017 study.

Those children also experience lower instances of conflict and stress.

According to recent research, dogs are smarter than cats. Canines’ brains have more cortical neurons than the brains of cats. These nerve cells are associated with thinking, planning and complex behavior.